Louisiana students performed poorly on the National Assessment of Education Progress exams. The state’s fourth-graders had the worst math scores in the nation and finished 49th in reading. Eighth graders didn’t perform much better, 50th in math and 48th in reading.

Governor John Bel Edwards and state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee unveiled a report on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. Edwards says according to the LSU report, Louisiana is saving 317-million dollars in state money and providing medical care to those who can’t afford it… The report says Medicaid expansion through the infusion of one-point-eight billion dollars in federal dollars has created over 19-thousand jobs in the health care sector, resulting in nearly three-point-six-billion-dollars in economic activity.

The number of eligible graduates in Louisiana achieving TOPS reaches an all-time high. More than 19,200 senior high school students qualified for at least one scholarship, up from 18,373 in 2016. But, Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunities Ken Bradford says there is a problem for TOPS candidates. Bradford says if TOPS funding is cut due to a one-billion-dollar budget shortfall, a lot of high school students hoping for a scholarship may be disappointed. Bradford says many graduating seniors are ready to attend a college or university, the hope is that they can afford it…

The Louisiana Senate overwhelmingly rejected Tuesday legislation that would ban the sale of assault weapons for those under age of 21. State law already forbids the sale of assault weapons to 18 year olds and it's already illegal for people younger than 21 to purchase handguns from licensed dealers. Senate Bill 274 would have made illegal the sale of assault weapons to people under the age of 21

A bill to eliminate the death penalty in cases of first degree murder, child rape, and treason has cleared a senate panel. New Orleans Senator J.P. Morrell’s legislation would apply to offenses after August 1st. Catholic Bishop Shelton Fabre (FOB) testified in favor of the measure. Capital crimes would receive a life prison sentence under the legislation approved by the Senate committee.

A bill to allow the state’s 15 licensed riverboats casinos to expand their gaming operations on to land and change the rules regarding gaming space has been sitting on the Senate floor for over two weeks, but a vote in the upper chamber could happen today. Senator Troy Carter says many senators are concerned about the numerous pieces of legislation that seek to expand gambling…

A bill to extend foster care benefits in Louisiana from 18 years old to as much as 21 years old in some cases was passed by the Senate Finance Committee. The money committee agreed to the legislation, even though it will cost the state an additional million dollars. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says it’s a tragedy that a foster child gets put on the street once they turn 18. Gatti believes that most 18-year-olds will stay in foster care if benefits are extended to 21. One-million-dollars from the BP settlement would be used to finance the extension. The bill next heads to the Senate floor.

A Senate bill that requires juveniles to wait until they are 18 before getting married cleared committee today. Current law allows kids to get married with their parents consent as early as 12 years old. Ginger Lecompte is with Women United she says 70 percent of child marriages don’t.

Lawmakers are considering making it illegal for drivers to hold a phone as a measure cleared the House Transportation committee. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the legislation allows you to use a hand free device to talk on the phone, but the measure prohibits the use of holding a phone. The bill heading to the House floor calls for a 125-dollar fine for first offenders and after a third violation your driver’s license could be suspended.

The department of wildlife and fisheries wrapped up a two year investigation resulting in one man and one juvenile being charged with numerous crimes. 25 year old Kaenon Constantin and an un-named juvenile have been charged with violating the endangered act by killing two endangered whooping cranes, hunting from a public road, and obstruction of justice. Constantin faces 65 thousand dollars in fines and up to ten years in jail.

A lawsuit, being brought by the Southern Poverty Law Center, claims Louisiana authorities have illegally detained a teenage boy for nearly one year after his arrest on a burglary charge. The suit seeks the 15-year-old boy's immediate release from a juvenile detention center in Monroe. The boy was 13 when he was arrested in 2016.

On air today..

The Houston Astros and the Minnesota Twins in game three of their series.. 11:35 om 94.7 ESPN

New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs 6:30p 94.7 ESPN

In LSU Baseball, the Tigers shout out LA 2 to 0. Up next, a three game home stand against Tennessee.